Mobile Hygiene Pantry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2013
Contact: Brian Walker, President & CEO
Kansas Food Bank
(316) 265-3663
bwalker@kansasfoodbank.org
Kansas Food Bank to Announce Mobile Hygiene Pantry
WICHITA, KS – The Kansas Food Bank will unveil its latest program, a Mobile Hygiene Pantry at a press conference this Thursday, September 19th at 2:00 p.m.
The Mobile Hygiene Pantry will serve Wichita residents who have trouble affording basic household necessities, these are items other than food that are considered critical to health and well-being, including personal care items, baby care items, and household maintenance items.
Items that were identified as “basic essentials”, meaning that they could not be foregone or easily substituted include: toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent, bath soap, disposable diapers, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products.
The struggle to afford household necessities has an emotional toll on parents and heads of households. Procuring these items is critical for one’s sense of self dignity and personal respect. Concern of the perception of children at school or by social service agencies adds to that toll.
The difficulty for many American households to afford basic household necessities is increasing. Federal nutrition programs such as SNAP and WIC focus solely on food. Participants in those programs cannot use those benefits for personal hygiene items. Food pantries and meal providers do not have the means to offer other assistance, yet the humble request for something as simple as toilet paper is there.
It takes partnerships & volunteers to address this growing concern and issue. To that, the Kansas Food Bank is proud to partner with the Wichita Community Foundation and Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. to assist families in Wichita, KS.
“We learned of this need in the community, and are glad we could serve as the convener, to bring the funder to this project that will help so many Wichitans,” said Shelly Prichard, President and CEO of the Wichita Community Foundation. “The Kansas Food Bank Warehouse is adding another level to the great service they already provide, and we are thrilled to be the catalyst for this effort.”
Volunteers from Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. will be building the first load of mobile hygiene bags immediately following the press conference.
The Mobile Hygiene Pantry will be deployed monthly in Wichita. Starting on October 19th, 2013, the location for the pantry will be in the parking lot at Colvin Neighborhood City Hall, 2820 S Roosevelt from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Guests will receive a pre-packed bag of personal hygiene items: laundry soap, toothpaste, shampoo, bath soap, deodorant and toilet paper. Other items such as baby diapers, baby wipes, razors and feminine hygiene items will be available based on household demographic and size.
WHAT:
Press Conference to announce Mobile Hygiene Pantry
WHEN:
Thursday, September 19, 2013 – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Kansas Food Bank
1919 E Douglas
Wichita, KS 67211
WHO:
Brian Walker, President & CEO, Kansas Food Bank
Shelly Prichard, President & CEO, Wichita Community Foundation
Carl Brewer, Mayor, City of Wichita
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ONE IN THREE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES FIND IT DIFFICULT TO AFFORD BASIC HOUSEHOLD NEEDS
Learn More About the Need for Personal Hygiene Items:
